The Pixel punches way above its weight in the smartphone space [Video]
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Deals: SmartTag 2 from $21, Galaxy Buds 2 Pro now $110 off, S24 Ultra $200 off, Google Nest WiFi Pro, more
It’s time for today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break deals and a whopping $110 in savings on Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. While we are talking Samsung, we also have $200 off the 512GB Galaxy S24 Ultra and a 30% price drop on the Galaxy SmartTag 2 item trackers as well. And as far as your networking needs go, there are $80 in savings on various Google Nest WiFi Pro router bundles today at Amazon. Head below for a closer look.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Wallet adding pass notifications, creating digital text passes, and more
Google Wallet is getting a number of updates at I/O 2024 from expanded push notifications to a new “Everything else” pass creation option.
Expand Expanding CloseHere’s the new Google Maps bottom bar with fewer tabs
Back in March, Google’s announcement about the latest Maps travel features included a mention of how the app is getting a “cleaner home screen.” At I/O 2024, we get a glimpse at the new Google Maps bottom bar.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Sheets can now quickly convert cells into tables
In an update provided this week, Google Sheets is now rolling out long-requested support for convert a block of cells into a table.
Expand Expanding ClosePixel phones can adjust vibration strength based on your surroundings in Android 15
Google had added a clever new “Adaptive Vibration” setting in Android 15 Beta 2 which allows Pixel phones to use their microphones to adjust vibration strength.
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Palworld is now available on GeForce Now
Nvidia is welcoming a few new games to GeForce Now this week including the indie hit Palworld.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini add-on comes to Google Workspace for Education
Education customers can now purchase Gemini for Google Workspace. This gives educators access to the side panel, Help me write/organize/visualize, and more.Â
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle TV will use AI to enhance recommendations and descriptions
Alongside the announcement that Android 14 is coming to TVs, I/O 2024 also brought the news that Google TV is preparing AI recommendations and descriptions for your living room.
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Over 200 million cars have Android Auto, a decade after its debut
Android Auto and CarPlay have just about become requirements for new car buyers at this point, and it’s clear that these platforms are very popular. In an update this week, Google confirmed that over 200 million cars are now on the road with Android Auto support.
Expand Expanding CloseYouTube getting advertiser-branded QR codes, more WNBA on YouTube TVÂ
YouTube Brandcast is a keynote aimed at advertisers, and the 2024 edition has some announcements that viewers will certainly notice, including branded QR codes.
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Google Contacts rolling out message and call notifications on widgets
In addition to A/B testing a change to how you add a new contact, Google Contacts is rolling out the ability to see notifications on widgets.Â
Expand Expanding CloseSecure your family’s data with discounted lifetime storage from pCloud
Over the past few decades, our lives have moved increasingly online. Instead of locking paper documents into fireproof/waterproof safes and loading photos into album books, we now stash all of our memories and important documentation onto our devices and into the cloud.
This Family Day, our friends at pCloud are offering a chance to invest in discounted lifetime cloud storage – up to 10 TB! – to share among members of your family, securing their digital lives.
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Google’s ‘Project Gameface’ can now bring facial gesture controls to Android
Accessibility is an ongoing effort with any and all digital products. At I/O 2024, Google has announced that Project Gameface will be added to Android to allow for users to control their device with head movements and facial gestures.
Expand Expanding ClosePrivate space is Android 15’s versatile secret compartment [Gallery]
Private space is rolling out with Android 15 Beta 2, and — from our brief usage — the user-friendly experience could be quite versatile.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung mocks controversial iPad Pro ad; ‘Creativity cannot be crushed’ [Video]
With the debut of the new iPad Pro, Apple put out a controversial ad that saw creative tools crushed by a hydraulic press. Now, Samsung is firing back at the ad with a brief Galaxy Tab S9 spot that says “creativity cannot be crushed.”
Expand Expanding CloseChromecast with Google TV will soon act as a Google Home hub
The smart home is getting another boost, as Google has announced the “Home runtime” will allow more TVs, including Chromecast with Google TV, act as a hub for Matter devices in Google Home.
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Android game and app deals: Rare price drop lands on Minecraft, LEGO Bricktales, and more
This afternoon’s collection of Wednesday’s best deals on Android games and apps is now ready to go. It appears as though Minecraft is seeing a rare deal in several regions today as part of the game’s 15th anniversary celebration, knocking it down from the regular $7 to $2. That gem joins titles like LEGO Bricktales, ScourgeBringer, Galaxy Trader, LIMBO, and much more. Just be sure to also scope out the deals we are tracking on Samsung’s elevated 47mm Galaxy Watch 6 Bespoke, Google’s latest Pixel Buds Pro, and these huge discounts on the latest Hisense 2024 Google Smart TVs before you head below for all of the apps.Â
Read MoreAndroid 15 Beta 2 redesigns volume menu with built-in output switcher
Google has redesigned the volume menu in Android 15 Beta 2 with new features and an improved look, too.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 15 Beta is now available for devices from Nothing, OnePlus, Xiaomi, and more
Android 15 is now becoming available for devices outside of the Pixel ecosystem, including from OEMs like Nothing, Oppo, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Vivo, and more.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 15 Beta 2 will now automatically turn Bluetooth back on ‘tomorrow morning’
Starting with Android 15, Google is officially changing how Bluetooth works with a new toggle that will automatically re-activate Bluetooth a day after it is turned off.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid boosting security with Theft Detection Lock, factory reset protectionÂ
In addition to Private Space, Android at I/O 2024 is really working to boost the mobile operating system’s theft, security, and privacy protections.
Expand Expanding CloseAndroid 14 for TVs brings new energy modes and the hope of better apps
TVs that run Google’s OS will start to get Android 14 soon, which means more flexibility in terms of energy-saving modes and accessibility. Developers will also be getting access to Compose for TV in beta, which brings better tools that result in even better Android TV apps.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Cast is coming to Android Automotive and Rivian vehicles, new apps too
As a part of Google I/O 2024, Android Automotive is getting support for Google Cast, new apps, and more.
Expand Expanding CloseWear OS 5 boosts battery life, Developer Preview available now
Google is launching the first preview of Wear OS 5, which is set to significantly improve battery life for smartwatches.
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